Jason Kelce would never want his former team to lose a player like A.J. Brown, yet he believes the star WR should step away. The season ended on quite a sour note for Brown as Philly returned home with the playoff elimination, but that barely scratches the surface of the whole problem. 

“I think he needs to get away from things,” Kelce stated. “I think that the frustration was palpable watching it, and I don’t think that it is completely unwarranted. The frustration was obvious, looking at a television screen, the frustration was obvious in how it affected him. And that’s my overall thing.”

It’s not like the legendary center doesn’t believe there’s a road for reconciliation; he is speaking in Brown’s interest. He believes the whole drama will have a compounding effect on the receiver, which is not good for anyone. 

“I think that whole team needs to kind of step away for a second and re-evaluate, selfishly, what they could’ve done better,” Kelce added. “And get ready to attack it when they all get back together.”

Speaking from experience, the future Hall of Famer recalled his 2016 season, when his trade from Philly felt inevitable. It was only after he let go of the things he couldn’t control, the media narratives and roster decisions, that he was able to rediscover his Pro Bowl form. He believes Brown needs such unplugging to regain his focus, or, as Aaron Rodgers calls it, “the darkness retreat.”

Based on what Kelce explained, Brown’s 2025 stats reflect a player out of sync. If it wasn’t for him and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles might be preparing for the Divisional Round. 

Brown managed to finish the season with 1,003 receiving yards, but it was his lowest mark since arriving in Philadelphia in 2022. Plus, his involvement in third downs and red-zone opportunities had noticeably declined. For a starting receiver, being excluded from the game’s most critical moments is a recipe for the exact resentment seen on the Philly sideline.

The reason Brown’s heated sideline moment with head coach Nick Sirianni has been in talks even now is the timing. It happened in a playoff game. The two were caught in a heated face-to-face exchange that required teammates to intervene as it continued. 

While Sirianni later downplayed the event, claiming he was simply trying to usher Brown off the field for a punt, the intensity of the moment was undeniable. From there, the trade rumors haven’t shut down. 

Likely trade scenario for Eagles’ A.J. Brown 

While many Eagles fans would prefer to see the team hire a new offensive coordinator to bridge this gap, the talk of a trade is no longer just “noise.” The debate has reached a point where both sides may eventually see a benefit in a fresh start. And there’s already a team posing as the best scenario to land him: New England Patriots. 

Any trade involving Brown would be a financial earthquake. One that would be of $43.5 million as dead money magnitude, as he’s signed through 2029. That’s where the Patriots comes in the picture. Their current head coach, Mike Vrabel, used to be Brown’s former HC in Tennessee. 

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What’s interesting is that Vrabel disagreed with the Titans’ decision to trade the All-Pro receiver in 2022. Perhaps, he would likely jump at the chance to reunite with his former star. If it happens, Brown wouldn’t be entirely opposed. 

Last offseason, he playfully teased Eagles fans by posting a photo with a Patriots jersey. Of course, it was a prank then, but the fit for a team with a young QB like Drake Maye seems perfect. And above everything, the Patriots have cap space (potentially over $50 million) and draft capital to make a competitive offer for the star receiver. 

Ultimately, it’s the Eagles holding the cards. Whether they choose to fix the relationship in-house or explore a blockbuster deal with New England. For now, the focus remains on the playoffs: Divisional Round clash against the Texans.